Surgical stapling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided and is configured to couple to a reload. The reload includes a first jaw member releasably supporting a cartridge that includes a slide deflector that is movable from a first position to a second position. One or more lockout steps are provided on one of the first and second jaw members of the reload. A drive member includes a working end urged to move toward the lockout step. In the first position, the slide deflector is positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of the drive member with the lockout step, and in the second position the slide deflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end with the lockout step to prevent further advancement of the working end. Distal translation of the working end causes the slide deflector to move from the first position to the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/463,373, filed Mar. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/161,995, filed Jan. 23, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,629,628, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/779,669, filed Mar. 13, 2013. Each ofthese disclosures is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical stapling apparatuses. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to surgical staplingapparatuses including knife drive lockout mechanisms.

Description of Related Art

Surgical stapling apparatus configured to staple, and subsequently severtissue are well known in the art. Such stapling apparatuses typicallyinclude a housing or handle and an elongated member that extends fromthe housing. In certain instances, single use or multi use loading unit(MULU) reload may be configured to releasably couple to a distal end ofthe elongated member. In either of the aforementioned reloadconfigurations, a tool assembly including an anvil and a cartridge maybe provided on respective jaws of the reload to staple tissue. The toolassembly can include a knife to sever the stapled tissue. The reload caninclude a drive member having a working end which supports the knife andadvances an actuation sled through the tool assembly to staple and severtissue.

While the aforementioned reload configurations provide numerousadvantages, it may be desirable to prevent inadvertent advancement ofthe drive member of the reload when a staple cartridge is absent fromthe tool assembly or has been fired.

SUMMARY

As can be appreciated, surgical stapling apparatuses that include knifedrive lockout mechanisms may prove useful in the surgical arena.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail withreference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numeralsidentify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term“distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is furtherfrom a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that isbeing described which is closer to a user.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a surgical staplingapparatus (a stapler). The stapler includes a housing. An elongatedmember extends from the housing. A reload is supported on a distal endof the elongated member. The reload includes a first jaw member thatreleasably supports a cartridge and a second jaw member that supports ananvil. The cartridge includes a slide deflector that is movable from afirst position to a second position. One or more lockout steps areprovided on one of the first and second jaw members. A drive memberincludes a working end that is configured to translate through thereload when the first and second jaw members are in a closedconfiguration. The working end urged to move toward the lockout step(s).In the first position, the slide deflector is positioned to preventengagement of the working end of the drive member with the lockoutstep(s). And, in the second position the slide deflector is positionedto allow engagement of the working end of the slide deflector with thelockout step(s) to prevent further advancement of the working end.Distal translation of the working end causes the slide deflector to movefrom the first position to the second position.

The drive member may include a beam including a distal end having apre-bent configuration that biases the working end towards the lockoutstep(s). One or more resilient member may be configured to bias theworking end towards the lockout step(s). The resilient member(s) may becoupled to a pivoting member of the surgical stapling apparatus. Theresilient member(s) may include a generally arcuate contacting portionthat allows the working end to slide therepast and into contact with oneof the slide deflector and lockout step(s). The lockout step(s) may beprovided on each of the anvil and first jaw member.

The slide deflector may be removably coupled to an actuation sled of thecartridge. The slide deflector may include one or more detents thereonthat may be configured to engage a corresponding indent on the workingend and a corresponding indent disposed within the cartridge. The slidedeflector includes a mechanical interface that is configured to engage acorresponding mechanical interface disposed within the cartridge. Themechanical interfaces disposed on the slide deflector and within thecartridge form a dovetail joint.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a surgical staplingapparatus (a stapler). The stapler includes a housing. An elongatedmember extends from the housing. A reload is supported on a distal endof the elongated member. The reload includes a first jaw member thatreleasably supports a cartridge and a second jaw member that supports ananvil. The cartridge includes a slide deflector that is movable from afirst position to a second position. One or more lockout steps areprovided on one of the first and second jaw members. A drive memberincludes a working end that is configured to translate through thereload when the first and second jaw members are in a closedconfiguration. The working end urged to move toward the lockout step(s).One or more resilient members are positioned for biasing the working endtowards the at least one lockout step. In the first position, the slidedeflector is positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of thedrive member with the lockout step(s). And, in the second position theslide deflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end ofthe slide deflector with the lockout step(s) to prevent furtheradvancement of the working end. Distal translation of the working endcauses the slide deflector to move from the first position to the secondposition.

The resilient member(s) may be coupled to a pivoting member of thesurgical stapling apparatus. The resilient member(s) may include agenerally arcuate contacting portion that allows the working end toslide therepast and into contact with one of the slide deflector andlockout step(s). The lockout step(s) may be provided on each of theanvil and first jaw member.

The slide deflector may be removably coupled to an actuation sled of thecartridge. The slide deflector may include one or more detents thereonthat may be configured to engage a corresponding indent on the workingend and a corresponding indent disposed within the cartridge. The slidedeflector includes a mechanical interface that is configured to engage acorresponding mechanical interface disposed within the cartridge. Themechanical interfaces disposed on the slide deflector and within thecartridge form a dovetail joint.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a reload configured tocouple to a surgical stapling apparatus. The reload includes a cartridgethat is supported on a first jaw member of the reload. The cartridgeincludes a slide deflector movable from movable from a first position toa second position. One or more lockout steps are provided on one of thefirst and second jaw members. A drive member includes a working endconfigured to translate through the reload when the first and second jawmembers are in a closed configuration. The working end urged to movetoward the lockout step(s). In the first position, the slide deflectoris positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of the drivemember with the lockout step(s). And, in the second position the slidedeflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end of theslide deflector with the lockout step(s) to prevent further advancementof the working end. Distal translation of the working end causes theslide deflector to move from the first position to the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelowwith references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side, perspective view of a powered surgical staplingapparatus supporting a reload;

FIG. 2 is a side, perspective view of a manual surgical staplingapparatus supporting a reload;

FIG. 3A is a side, perspective view of the reload of FIGS. 1 and 2including a drive lockout mechanism according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a top, perspective view of a tool assembly and drive memberof the reload with parts separated to illustrate a channel assemblyconfigured to provide a path for translation of a knife;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a cartridge usable with the tool assemblyshown in FIG. 3B with parts separated;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the actuation sled of the cartridgeshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top, perspective view of the cartridge;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a proximal end of the cartridge with theactuation sled and a slide deflector of the cartridge separated from theproximal end of the cartridge;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the proximal end of the cartridge withthe actuation sled and the slide deflector supported within thecartridge;

FIG. 10 is a side, perspective view of the knife and the slide deflectorof the reload;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the jaw member of the tool assembly ofthe reload shown in FIG. 3B with the cartridge shown in FIG. 4 separatedfrom one another;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top, perspective view of the distal end of the reloadillustrating the tool assembly with a cartridge coupled to a jaw memberand the jaw members in an approximated position;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom, perspective view of the distal end of the reloadshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 15with the anvil removed;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view illustrating a proximal end of the toolassembly with the drive member and slide deflector in a retractedconfiguration;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a proximal end of thetool assembly with the drive member and slide deflector in a retractedconfiguration;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a proximal end of thetool assembly with the drive member and slide deflector as the knife andslide deflector start to move distally;

FIG. 20 is a partial, cross-sectional view illustrating a proximal endof the tool assembly with the knife retracted after the tool assemblyhas been fired and the slide deflector in the distal most position andthe drive member in a locked-out configuration;

FIG. 21 is a top, elevational view illustrating a proximal end of thetool assembly shown in FIG. 20 with the drive member in the locked-outconfiguration;

FIG. 22 is a top, elevational view of a drive member configured for theuse with the reload depicted in FIG. 3 according to an alternateembodiment of the instant disclosure; and

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein;however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of thedisclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailedstructure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a powered surgical stapling apparatus shown generallyas 100. FIG. 2 illustrates a manual surgical stapling apparatus showngenerally as 200. The powered apparatus includes one or more motors andan internal or external power source, whereas the manual apparatus 200has a movable handle 236 and a mechanism for driving the functions ofthe apparatus. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,361; 5,782,396; International WO04/032,760; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0276741; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/444,228, the entire contents of each of thesedisclosures is hereby incorporated by reference.

Briefly, the surgical stapling apparatus 100 includes a housings orstationary handle 102 having an actuator 136 and an elongated member 104extending from housing 102 (FIG. 1). Likewise, surgical staplingapparatus 200 includes a housing 202 or stationary handle supporting amovable handle 236 and an elongated member 204 extending from housing202. Surgical stapling apparatus 200 includes a retraction mechanism 216(FIG. 2) that can be manually grasped and pulled proximally to retract afiring mechanism of the apparatus 200. Each of elongated members 104,204 is configured to removably couple to a reload 106.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the reload 106 includes a shaft portion 109 and atool assembly 107 supported on a distal end of the shaft portion 109.The tool assembly 107 includes first and second jaw members 108, 110which are movable from a spaced apart configuration (FIG. 2) forpositioning tissue therebetween to an approximated configuration (FIG.13) for clamping tissue for subsequent stapling thereof.

FIG. 3B illustrates the tool assembly 107 with the jaw members 108, 110separated and a drive member “D” having a drive beam 103 having whichsupports a working end 101. Working end 101 has an I-beam configurationhaving top and bottom flanges 118 a, 118 b and includes distal abutmentsurface 118 c which engages a central support wedge 113 a (FIG. 4) of anactuation sled 115. Working end 101 is configured to move through thetool assembly 107 which includes knife channel portions 114 a, 114 bthat are defined through an anvil 111 which is supported on the jawmember 110 and jaw member 108, respectively. Specifically, the workingend 101 of the drive beam 103 moves from a retracted position to anextended position to advance knife 105 and the actuation sled 115 tostaple and sever tissue. The knife 105 is positioned to travel slightlybehind the actuation sled 115 during a stapling procedure to form anincision between rows of stapled tissue.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a pivot assembly 150 is provided at a distal endof shaft 109 which pivotally couples tool assembly 107 to shaft 109.Pivot assembly 150 includes bottom and top portions 151 a, 151 b thatare operably coupled to one another and to jaw members 108, 110,respectively, so as to allow articulation of jaw members 108, 110 (FIG.3B) about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the reload 106.

Reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,361 and 7,225,963, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, for amore detailed discussion of the construction and operation of reload106.

With reference to FIGS. 3B-5, jaw member 108 of tool assembly 107 isconfigured to support a removable cartridge assembly 112 (cartridge 112)thereon. Cartridge 112 includes a plurality of fasteners 117 a and aplurality of pusher members 117 b that are operatively engaged with oneor more the fasteners 117 a. Cartridge 112 includes one or moreretention slots 119 that are positioned longitudinally along a tissuecontacting surface 121 of cartridge 112 and are configured to housefasteners 117 a. A cartridge housing 123 (FIG. 4) is couple to jawmember 108. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, cartridge 112may be coupled to jaw 108 using detents 125 (FIG. 4), latches, clips orthe like. A removable and replaceable cartridge is disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/280,880 entitled Multi-Use Loading Unit,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-12, the reload 106 includes a locking mechanismthat is configured to lock-out the drive member “D” so as to preventfiring of the apparatus when a cartridge 112 has not been installed inthe jaw member 108 or when the cartridge 112 installed in jaw member 108has already been fired. The locking mechanism includes a slide deflector130 provided at a proximal end of cartridge 112 which is configured toprevent deflection of the working end 101 of the drive member “D” whenthe slide deflector 130 is in a retracted position prior to firing ofthe staple cartridge 112. Slide deflector 130 includes a generallyelongated configuration having proximal and distal ends 131 a, 131 b,respectively, and is and releasably coupled to actuation sled 115. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the slide deflector 130 is supported betweenraised wedge supports of the actuation sled 115 to releasably couple theslide deflector 130 to the actuation sled 115. More specifically, slidedeflector 130 is coupled to actuation sled 115 between central wedgesupport 113 a and a right wedge support 113 b of actuation sled 115(FIG. 5).

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the pre-installed configuration ofcartridge 112, proximal end 131 a of slide deflector 130 extendsproximally past a proximal edge of actuation sled 115. Proximal end 131a of slide deflector 130 defines an angled surface which is positionedto deflect abutment surfaces 118 c, 118 d of working end 101 of thedrive member “D” away from respective lockout steps 120 a, 120 b thatare provided on anvil 111 and cartridge 112, respectively, when thecartridge 112 is installed into the jaw member 108. By deflectingworking end 101 in this manner, the drive member “D” is permitted totranslate distally past lockout steps 120 a, 120 b and through knifechannels 114 a, 114 b to effect the stapling and severing of tissue.

A detent 133 is provided adjacent a distal end 131 b of slide deflector130 and includes an inside portion 134 a that is configured to securelyengage a corresponding indent 137 a that is provided on an interiorsidewall 137 b of cartridge 112 (FIG. 7). Detent 133 includes an outsideportion 134 b that is configured to releasably engage a correspondingindent 138 that is provided on working end 101 of the drive member “D.”Detent 138 is positioned adjacent top flange 118 a. In accordance withthe instant disclosure, as working end 101 of drive member “D” movesdistally and advances actuation sled 115 within cartridge 112, outsideportion 134 b releasably engages indent 138 on working end 101 toadvance the slide deflector 130 distally within cartridge 112. The slidedeflector 130 will move distally with working end 101 of drive member“D” until the inside portion 134 a of detent 133 engages indent 137 a oninterior wall 137 b of cartridge 112.

Slide deflector 130 includes a sidewall 140 that extends along one sideof the slide deflector 130 and defines a groove 141 configured toreceive therein a corresponding guide member 139 which extends from aninterior sidewall 137 b of cartridge 112 (FIG. 8). Interior sidewall 137b including guide member 139 is positioned within cartridge 112 to allowdistal translation of actuation sled 115 through cartridge 112. In oneembodiment, groove 141 has a dovetail configuration and receives theguide member 139 of corresponding shape.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, in accordance with the instant disclosure, whenworking end 101 of drive member “D” is advanced to contact and advancethe actuation sled 115, actuation sled 115 initially moves independentlyof the slide deflector 130. Continued distal translation of working end101 causes outside portion 134 b of detent 133 of slide deflector 130 toreleasably engage corresponding indent 138 of working end 101 to coupleslide deflector 130 to working end 101 such that slide deflector 130 andworking end 101 move distally in unison. Further distal translation ofworking end 101 causes groove 141 to receive guide member 139. Guidemember 139 guides slide deflector 130 into engagement with interior wall145 to prevent further distal movement of the slide deflector 130. Whendistal end 131 b of slide deflector 130 contacts interior wall 145,outside portion 134 b of slide deflector 130 disengages fromcorresponding indent 138 of working end 101 of drive member “D.” Withgroove 141 engaged with guide member 139, slide deflector 130 is securedto interior sidewall 137 b and prevented from further movement withincartridge 112. More specifically, when working end 101 is moved back tothe retracted configuration slide deflector 130 is retained in theadvanced position with the distal end 131 b in contact with interiorwall 145.

Referring again to FIG. 3B, and with reference to FIG. 11, resilientmember 152 is provided adjacent a proximal end of jaw member 108 and isconfigured to bias working end 101 of drive member “D” towards lockoutsteps 120 a, 120 b of anvil 111 and cartridge 112, respectively.Specifically, resilient member 152 is coupled to an extension 153 ofbottom portion 151 b of pivot assembly 150 (FIG. 3B). In the illustratedembodiment, for example, a pair of rivets 155 a, 155 b are configured toextend through apertures 157 a, 157 b that are provided at a proximalcoupling end 156 a of resilient member 152 and corresponding apertures158 a, 158 b defined in extension 153 to secure the resilient member 152to the pivot assembly 150 at the proximal end of the tool assembly 107.Alternatively, other coupling methods may be used to secure theresilient member 142 to the cartridge 112. In some embodiments,resilient member 152 may be operably coupled to an interior wall of jawmember 108 and/or cartridge 112.

A generally arcuate contacting portion 156 b is provided on resilientmember 152 and extends from proximal coupling end 156 a to bias workingend 101 of drive member “D” towards slide deflector 130 (when the slidedeflector 130 is in a retracted position) and/or lockout steps 120 a,120 b. The arcuate contacting portion 156 b is configured to allowworking end 101 of drive member “D” to move past the contacting portion156 b and into contact with slide deflector 130 and/or lockout steps 120a, 120 b (FIGS. 17-21). In addition, arcuate contacting portion 156 b isconfigured to permit movement of the working end 101 back to theretracted configuration after the cartridge 112 has been fired. Arcuatecontacting portion 156 b is configured to extend into knife channels 114a, 114 b (see FIGS. 17-18) and includes a spring constant that iscapable of biasing the working end 101 towards slide deflector 130without imparting too much biasing force that would substantially altera translation path of the working end 101.

With reference to FIGS. 11-14, lockout out step 120 b is providedadjacent knife channel 114 b (FIGS. 12 and 14) and is configured tocontact abutment surface 118 d of the working end 101 (FIG. 21). Lockoutstep 120 b may be formed in jaw member 108 during a manufacturingprocess thereof. Contact between lockout step 120 b and abutment surface118 d of working end 101 of drive member “D” prevents re-advancement ofthe drive member “D”, as discussed in further detail below.

FIGS. 15-16 illustrate jaw member 110 having anvil 111 coupled thereto.Anvil 111 includes a plurality of buckets or depressions 107 (see FIG.3A, for example) that are configured to receive corresponding fasteners117 a therein when fasteners 117 a are deployed from cartridge 112.Lockout step 120 a is provided at a proximal end of anvil 111 adjacentknife channel 114 a and functions in a manner similar to lockout step120 b. Specifically, lock out step 120 a is configured to contactabutment surface 118 c of working end 101 to prevent re-advancement ofthe drive member “D”. Lockout step 120 a is defined in anvil 111 andcovered by jaw member 110 (FIG. 15). Lockout step 120 a may be alignedwith lockout step 120 b. Alternatively, lockout step 120 a and 120 b mayoffset or otherwise configured to accommodate various surgicalprocedures and/or needs.

While cartridge 112 and anvil 111 have both been described herein asincluding respective lockout steps 120 b, 120 a, it is within thepurview of the instant disclosure for only one of anvil 111 or cartridge112 to include a lockout step. As can be appreciated, however, havingtwo lockout steps 120 a, 120 b provides more protection to preventre-advancement of the drive member “D” after firing of a cartridge 112.For purposes herein, it is assumed that abutment surface 118 c contactslockout step 120 a at approximately the same time abutment surface 118 dcontacts lockout step 120 b.

In use, when a cartridge assembly 112 is not installed on jaw member108, knife contacting portion 156 b of resilient member 152 extends intoknife channels 114 a, 114 b (FIG. 17). With knife contacting portion 156b in this configuration, engagement between knife contacting portion 156b and working end 101 of drive member “D” biases abutment surfaces 118c, 118 d into respective lockout steps 120 a, 120 b as the drive member“D” is advanced distally within cartridge 112 to prevent furtheradvancement of drive member “D”.

When cartridge 112 is installed on jaw member 108, proximal end 131 a ofslide deflector 130 is positioned proximally past lockout steps 120 a,120 b (FIG. 18). In this position, slide deflector 130 prevents abutmentsurfaces 118, 118 d of working end 101 from engaging respective lockoutsteps 120 a, 120 b. As a result thereof, drive member “D” includingworking end 101 is allowed to translate distally past slide deflector130 (FIG. 19) and engage actuation sled 115 in a manner as describedabove.

Drive member “D” may then be moved proximally past slide deflector 103and resilient member 152 until working end 101 returns to the retractedconfiguration. With the working end 101 of drive member “D” in theretracted position and the slide deflector 130 in the advanced positionthe slide deflector 130 is no longer positioned to prevent deflecting ofthe working end 101 into steps 120 a, 120 b by resilient member 152.Once working end 101 returns back to the retracted configuration, knifecontacting portion 156 b of resilient member 152 deflects the workingend 101 of drive member “D” towards steps 120 a, 120 b to preventfurther advancement of dive member “D” in a manner as described above(FIGS. 20-21).

The unique configuration of the locking mechanism including slidedeflector 130 and resilient member 152 overcomes the aforementioneddrawbacks that are, typically, associated with conventional surgicalstapling apparatus. Specifically, slide deflector 130 includingresilient member 152 prevents inadvertent advancement of the drivemember “D” when a staple cartridge is absent from the tool assembly 107or has been fired.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings,those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications canalso be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof the same. For example, the surgical stapling apparatus 100, 200 havebeen described herein as including a resilient member 152 that isconfigured to bias working end 101 towards lockout steps 120 a, 120 b,other methods and/or devices may be utilized to bias working end 101towards lockout steps 120 a, 120 b.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 22-23, an alternate embodiment oflocking mechanism is illustrated. This embodiment is substantiallysimilar to the aforementioned embodiment that utilized working end 101.Accordingly, only those features that are unique to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 22-23 are described herein.

Unlike working end 101 that is configured to be biased towards lockoutsteps 120 a, 120 b via resilient member 152, a distal end 203 a of drivebeam 203 is self biased towards lockout steps 120 a, 120 b.Specifically, distal end 203 a is pre-bent in a direction towardslockout steps 120 a, 120 b. Distal end 203 a may be bent to provide anysuitable spring constant, e.g., a spring constant approximately equal tothe spring constant provided by resilient member 152.

In use, when cartridge assembly 112 is not installed on jaw member 108,the pre-bent distal end 203 a of the drive beam 203 biases the workingend 201 into engagement with the aforementioned lockout steps 120 a, 120b. Accordingly, working end 201 of the drive member “D” is preventedform advancing distally.

When cartridge 112 is installed on jaw member 108, proximal end 131 a ofslide deflector 130 is positioned proximally of lockout steps 120 a, 120b. Accordingly, slide deflector 130 deflects the abutment surfaces ofworking end 201 from engaging respective lockout steps 120 a, 120 b. Asa result thereof, the drive member including working end 201 is allowedto translate distally past slide deflector 130 and engage actuation sled115 in a manner as described above.

The drive member may then be moved proximally until the working end 201is back to the retracted configuration. Once working end 201 is movedback to the retracted configuration and the slide deflector 130 is inits distal position (no longer positioned to deflect working end 201past lockout steps 120 a, 120 b), the pre-bent configuration of distalend 203 a locks out the drive member in a manner as described above.

The figures show a replaceable loading unit with surgical stapling and ashaft (such as a shaft 109) that can be attached to a surgical staplingapparatus. Other configurations are contemplated. For example, thereplaceable loading unit can itself have a removable and replaceablecartridge assembly. Alternatively, the jaws of the instrument can bepermanently attached and configured to receive a removable andreplaceable cartridge.

Further, in embodiments it may prove advantageous not to utilize outsideportion 134 b and corresponding indent 138. In this embodiment, theaforementioned indent/detent configuration that was described above inconjunction with coupling slide deflector 130 with actuation sled 125may be configured to maintain slide deflector 130 engaged with actuationsled 125 after working end 101 contacts actuation sled 115. As can beappreciated, certain other modifications may need to be made tocartridge 112, actuation sled 115, slide deflector 130 and/or workingend 101 such that the locking mechanism functions in a manner inaccordance herewith.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reload comprising: a tool assembly including afirst jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw supporting a staple cartridgeand the second jaw member supporting an anvil, the staple cartridgesupporting a slide deflector that is movable from a first position to asecond position, the tool assembly having at least one lockout member,the staple cartridge including an actuation sled that is movable throughthe staple cartridge to eject staples from the staple cartridge: and adrive member movable through the tool assembly from a retracted positionto an extended position, the slide deflector movable from the firstposition to the second position in response to movement of the drivemember from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein inthe first position, the slide deflector is positioned to preventengagement of the drive member with the at least one lockout member tofacilitate movement of the drive member from the retracted position tothe extended position, and in the second position, the slide deflectoris positioned to permit movement of the drive member into engagementwith the at least one lockout member to prevent movement of the drivemember from the retracted position to the extended position.
 2. Thereload of claim 1, wherein the drive member includes a beam including adistal end with a pre-bent configuration that biases the drive membertowards the at least one lockout member.
 3. The reload of claim 1,further including a resilient member positioned within the tool assemblyto bias the drive member towards the at least one lockout member.
 4. Thereload of claim 3, wherein the resilient member includes a generallyarcuate contacting portion that allows the drive member to slide pastthe resilient member and into contact with one of the slide deflector orthe at least one lockout member.
 5. The reload of claim 3, wherein theat least one lockout member is provided on each of the anvil and firstjaw member.
 6. The reload of claim 3, wherein the actuation sled ispositioned distally of the drive member such that movement of the drivemember from the retracted position to the extended position advances theactuation sled through the staple cartridge.
 7. The reload of claim 6,wherein the slide deflector is movably coupled to the actuation sled ofthe staple cartridge.
 8. The reload of claim 6, wherein the actuationsled and the drive member are positioned such that when the drive memberis initially advanced from its retracted position, the actuation sledmoves independently of the slide deflector.
 9. The reload of claim 8,wherein the actuation sled and the drive member are positioned such thatfurther advancement of the drive member causes the slide deflector tobecome coupled with the actuation sled.
 10. The reload of claim 9,wherein the drive member and the actuation sled move the slide deflectorto the second position.
 11. The reload of claim 10, wherein the slidedeflector remains in the second position when the drive member isretracted.
 12. The reload of claim 11, wherein the second position is anadvanced position.
 13. The reload of claim 1, wherein the slidedeflector includes a detent and the drive member and the staplecartridge include indents, wherein the detent is received within theindents.
 14. The reload of claim 1, wherein the slide deflector includesa mechanical interface that is configured to engage a correspondingmechanical interface disposed within the staple cartridge.
 15. Thereload of claim 1, wherein the mechanical interface on the slidedeflector and the corresponding interface on the staple cartridge form adovetail joint.
 16. The reload of claim 1, wherein the at least onelockout member includes at least one lockout step provided on one of thefirst or second jaw members, the drive member being urged to move towardthe at least one lockout step, and the slide deflector is positioned toallow engagement of the drive member with the at least one lockout stepto prevent further advancement of the drive member.
 17. A surgicalstapling apparatus, comprising: a housing; an elongated member extendingfrom the housing; and a reload coupled to the elongated member, thereload comprising: a tool assembly including a first jaw and a secondjaw, the first jaw supporting a staple cartridge and the second jawmember supporting an anvil, the staple cartridge supporting a slidedeflector that is movable from a first position to a second position,the tool assembly supporting a lockout member, the staple cartridgeincluding an actuation sled that is movable through the staple cartridgeto eject staples from the staple cartridge; and a drive member movablethrough the tool assembly from a retracted position to an extendedposition, the slide deflector movable from the first position to thesecond position in response to movement of the drive member from theretracted position to the extended position, wherein in the firstposition, the slide deflector is positioned to prevent engagement of thedrive member with the lockout member to facilitate movement of the drivemember from the retracted position to the extended position, and in thesecond position, the slide deflector is positioned to permit movement ofthe drive member into engagement with the lockout member to preventmovement of the drive member from the retracted position to the extendedposition.
 18. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 17, wherein thedrive member includes a beam including a distal end with a pre-bentconfiguration that biases the drive member towards the lockout member.19. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 18, further including aresilient member positioned within the tool assembly to bias the drivemember towards the lockout member.
 20. The surgical stapling apparatusof claim 19, wherein the resilient member includes a generally arcuatecontacting portion that allows the drive member to slide past theresilient member and into contact with one of the slide deflector andthe lockout member.